Broadcast messages

ABSTRACT

MMS messages are sent to a set top box for display on a television receiver ( 7 ). The MMS messages can be routed from a message centre (MMSC 1 ) through a digital broadcasting network ( 4 ) to the STB. The messages can be directed to one of a number of individual message addresses associated with the STB. Also MMS messages can be multicast to individual addresses from a group service provider ( 9 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods of configuring a digital broadcastreceiver, to a method of operating a digital broadcast network. Theinvention also relates to A digital broadcast receiver configured toreceive MMS messages, and to a network configured to perform a method.The invention has particular application to a multimedia messagingservice (MMS) but is not limited to such.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitherto, a short messaging service (SMS) has been used in mobiletelecommunication networks to send text messages between mobile devicessuch as cellular mobile telecommunications handsets. More recently, amultimedia messaging service (MMS) has been developed to allowmultimedia messages to be conveyed, including pictures, video clips andaudio.

Also, email is a well known messaging service for computer networks,particularly wide area networks such as the Internet. Email can be sentfrom one personal computer to another in the manner well known in theart. MMS has the capability to transmit messages not only to a mobilehandset but also to personal computers through the Internet. MMSmessages are handled by a multimedia message service centre (MMSC) whichis connected to the mobile network and also provides a portal to theInternet so that messages can be routed either to a mobile telephonehandset or to a personal computer through the Internet.

Digital video broadcasting (DVB) may be used to broadcast televisionprograms to domestic television receivers. In contrast with conventionalanalogue TV transmissions, DVB provides not only a downlink to thetelevision receiver but also an uplink to allow interactive services tobe provided. A set top box (STB) may be used to receive DVBtransmissions and convert them into a format suitable for a conventionalanalogue television receiver. The STB may include an input section thatincludes a parser to parse input digital broadcast signals, which may bereceived through a cable, satellite or a terrestrial transmissionsystem. A hard disc may be provided in the STB to record broadcasttransmissions and an output modulator may be included to convert thedigital data either from the store or in real time, into a UHF modulatedanalogue form suitable for reception by a conventional televisionreceiver through its antenna socket.

It has been proposed to use the set top box as an email client connectedto a conventional telephone land network and to display emails using thetelevision to receiver. For further details reference is directed to“The Essential Guide to Digital Set, Top Boxes and Interactive TV” by G.O'Driscoll, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-017360-6, pp170-180.

The present invention is directed to a system which allows messages suchas MMS messages to be sent to an digital broadcast receiver such as aSTB, through a DVB network for display using a conventional televisionreceiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof configuring a digital broadcast receiver to receive individuallyaddressed messages through a digital broadcast network, the messagesbeing derived from a different network, comprising sending to thedigital broadcast receiver through the network, message detection datathat allows the digital broadcast receiver to identify messagesbroadcast through the network with at least one individual addresscorresponding to the digital broadcast receiver, and storing the messagedetection data for use in the digital broadcast receiver to detectmessages addressed thereto.

The digital broadcast receiver may comprise a set top box (STB) and themessages may comprise MMS messages.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided adigital broadcast receiver configured by the above-recited method toreceive MMS messages.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof operating a digital broadcast network to configure a digitalbroadcast receiver to receive individually addressed messages throughthe network, the messages being derived from a network different fromthe broadcast network, comprising receiving specific data thatindividually characterises a particular digital broadcast receiver,providing message detection data as a function of said specific datathat allows the digital broadcast receiver to identify messagesbroadcast through the network with at least one individual addresscorresponding to the digital broadcast receiver for storage therein todetect messages addressed individually thereto, and sending the messagedetection data to the digital broadcast receiver through the network.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a network adapted to performthis method.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of configuring adigital broadcast receiver to receive individually addressed messagesthrough a digital broadcast network, the messages emanating from anetwork different from the digital broadcast network, comprisingreceiving at the digital broadcast receiver from the digital broadcastnetwork, message detection data that allows the digital broadcastreceiver to identify said messages broadcast through the network with atleast one individual address corresponding to the digital broadcastreceiver, and storing the message detection data for use in the digitalbroadcast receiver to detect messages addressed thereto.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, an embodimentthereof will be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a network for transmitting MMSmessages in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a set top box;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of initialisation and downloading ofmessage addresses and encryption keys to the set top box;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the downloaded data;

FIG. 5 illustrates the detection and storage process performed at theset top box;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the downloading of an encryptedMMS to the set top box; and

FIGS. 7A, B & C schematically illustrate different signal transmissionformats for the MMS messages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile cellular telephone handset MS1 is in radiocommunication with a public land mobile network PLMN1 through a cellularradio link 2. The handset MS1 includes the digital camera which can takea photograph of scene 3—a girl running. The handset MS1 includes digitalprocessing circuitry which converts the image from the camera into a MMSin a manner well known per se. For example, the Nokia 7650 telephonehandset can perform this function. The MMS may be transmitted under thecontrol of MMSC1 either through PLMN 1 to another handset MS2.Alternatively, the user of handset MS1 may associate a TCP/IP addresswith the MMS, in which can MMSC1 routes the MMS image data as an emailattachment directed to the IP address through the Internet 3. In thisexample, the MMS may be routed to PC1 connected to the Internet 3.

In accordance with the invention, the MMS may also be routed selectivelyto a set top box STB1 through a terrestrial digital broadcasting system(DVB-T) 4. To this end, the MMS is routed to a digit-tv centre 5 thatprovides services through the DVB-T system 4. The digi-tv centre 5 actsas a server for MMS messages and has a store 6 to receive messages fromInternet 3 so that they can subsequently be conveyed through the DVB-Tnetwork 4 to individual set top boxes.

The set top box STB1 is connected to a conventional, analogue TVreceiver 7. It will be understood that the DVB-T network 4 broadcasts tomany television receivers illustrated schematically by a furthertelevision receiver 8 with an associated set top box STB2. The set topboxes STB1, 2 may also receive group services from the group serviceprovider 9 through the DVB-T network 4.

The set top box STB1 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. Digital datafrom cable, satellite and terrestrial DVB networks are received oninputs 10A, B and C, and are fed to a data parser 11 that streams thereceived data to a processor 12 that either feeds the data to a harddisc 13 for storage or in real time to a TV output circuitry 14. Theoutput circuitry 14 includes a D/A converter and a UHF modulator toprovide signals on line 15 that are supplied to the conventional antennasocket of the analogue TV receiver 7.

The processor 12 has associated RAM/ROM 16 and also a non-volatilememory 17 which includes a substantially unique identification code forthe set top box. The memory 17 may also include a unique key K_(STB1).The non-volatile memory 17 may comprise a smart card. Thus, each STB hasits own individual identity. A remote controller 18 controls operationof the processor 12 via a wireless link 19 e.g. infrared, through atransducer 20.

Thus, as well known in the art, the STB can be used to receive, recordand feed TV broadcasts to the analogue television receiver 7 and theremote controller 18 is used to control channel selection both for realtime display and for recording on the hard disc 13. Additionally, theset top box STB1 may also run an email client such as a web browser, toreceive emails downloaded through the DVB-T network., to be displayed onthe television receiver 7

In accordance with the invention, MMS messages may be downloaded to STB1through the DVB-T network 4 and stored on hard disc 13 for display onthe television receiver 7, the messages being manipulated by means ofthe remote controller 18.

The configuration of the STB for use with MMS messages will now bedescribed. In an initial registration step, at least one mail address isassociated with the identification number of the set top box STB1. Thismay be carried out at the time the set top box is purchased. Thepurchaser may be given an opportunity to provide a limited number ofmail addresses at a domain associated with the digi-tv centre 5. Forexample, the following personal messaging addresses for members of thefamily Virtanen at a domain turkutv, a digital TV provider for the townof Turku in Finland, can be associated with the individualidentification code for set top box STB1 as set out in Table 1. TABLE 1STB 1 Identification Encryption/decryption code STB unique key Messageaddresses key pair wbdcxz485407437347 K_(STB1) maija.virtanen@turkutv.fiKa1:Ka2 matti.virtanen@turkutv.fi Kb1:Kb2 marika.virtanen@turkutv.fiKc1:Kc2 mikko.virtanen@turkutv.fi Kd1:Kd2 family.virtanen@turkutv.fiKe1:Ke2

These addresses are registered at the digi-tv centre 5 and stored onstore 6 in association with the identification code and unique keyK_(STB1) for STB 1. The registration process may be carried out by emaile.g. from PC1 shown in FIG. 1 through the Internet or may be carried outat the time of purchase of the set top box by the retailer over a securesockets link. The registration and address selection are illustrated assteps 3.0 and 3.1 in FIG. 3.

Then, at step S3.2, the digi-tv centre 5 allocates encryption/decryptionkeys for the stored message addresses individually. Examples of the keypairs are shown schematically in Table 1. The keys are used to encryptand decrypt MMS communication through the DVB-T network 4 between thedigi-tv centre 5 and the set top box STB1.

At step S3.3, the message addresses allocated to set top box STB1 andtheir associated encryption/decryption keys are downloaded through theDVB-T network 4 to the set top box STB1, and the downloaded data isencrypted using the STB unique key K_(STB1) associated with the set topbox STB 1. Public/private key cryptography or symmetrical keys may beemployed.

At step S3.4, the downloaded addresses and associated keys are stored inthe memory 17 of STB1 for future use. The data decrypted using the STBunique key K_(STB1) and then stored or can be stored encrypted forsubsequent decrytion using the STB unique key depending on the securityrequirements of the system and the implementation of the cryptosystem.

Referring to FIG. 4, the format of the encrypted data downloaded fromthe digi-tv centre 5 to the STB 1 comprises the identification code 10of STB 1, the encryption/decryption keys 11 for the message contents andthe message addresses themselves. Thus, the data of Table 1 isdownloaded.

The process of reception and storage of the downloaded data is shown inFIG. 5. At step S5.0, STB 1 decrypts data received through the DVB-Tnetwork 4 using the unique key K_(STB1) from the non-volatile memory 17of STB 1. When data is successfully decrypted, the decrypted data isintended for STB 1 and so the downloaded message addresses and theircorresponding keys are stored in memory at steps S5.1 and S5.2. Theheader 10 in the decrypted data can be checked against theidentification code stored in the memory 17 to validate the addressesand the keys. Alternatively, the identification code can be used as aheader for the downloaded data so that the STB can detect its uniqueidentification code in the data broadcast through the digital network 4,by comparing the received identification code with that stored in thememory 17. On detection of its unique code in the broadcast, the STBstores the keys 11 and the message addresses in the memory 17.

Thus, by this process, multiple addresses are associated with theidentity of the set top box STB1 together with respectiveencryption/decryption keys. The STB1 is now ready to receive MMSmessages.

In the following example, the user of handset MS1 takes a photograph ofthe scene 3 and manipulates the keys of the handset so as to send thephotograph as a MMS to one member of the family Virtanen, for example tothe MMS address of Matti Virtanen. The MMS is transmitted over radiolink 2 to the PLMN1 and thence to MMSC1, which decodes the addressassociated with the message and decides to forward it through theInternet to the digi-tv centre 5. This is shown at step S6.0 in FIG. 6.The received MMS is stored in store 6 at step S6.1, in association withthe message identification code. Suitable formats for the MMStransmitted from MMSC1 to the digi-tv centre 5 are shown in FIGS. 7A and7B. The MMS may be transmitted as an attachment to an email, in whichcase the format is generally as shown in FIG. 7A, with a header 13 thatincludes the IP address of the transmitter (MMSC1) and the receiver(digi-tv centre 5), together with the MMS message data 14 itself.Alternatively, an individual messaging protocol may be set up by theoperators of the digi-tv centre 5 and MMSC1 that involves anapplication-specific client-server approach, in which case, the messagemay be configured as shown in FIG. 7B with an implementation-specificmessage header 15 for the MMS message 14.

The digi-tv centre 5 then retrieves the encryption key Kb1 associatedwith the message address matti.virtanen@turkutv.fi (see Table 1) andsends an encrypted message to the set top box STB1 through the DVB-Tnetwork 4 as shown at step S6.2. The notification message is thendecrypted at the step top box STB1 using the stored decryption key Kb2and the message notification is displayed on the screen of televisionreceiver 7 at step S6.3 e.g. “Matti—you have a new MMS”.

The message recipient may then decide to request that the MMS bedownloaded from the digi-tv centre 5 and a download request is uploadedthrough the uplink of the DVB-T network 4 to the digi-tv centre 5 atstep 56.4. The download request may be encrypted using the encryptionkey Kb1 stored in the non-volatile memory 17 at STB1. If so, the requestis decrypted at the digi-tv centre 5 using the corresponding decryptionkey Kb2. The request may be generated at STB 1 using an instance of thebrowser and a password authorisation may need to be entered. A retrievalcommand is then sent to the store 6 at step S 6.5. The MMS is thenretrieved from the store 6 at step S6.6 and passed to the digi-tv centre5. The MMS is then encrypted using the encryption key Kb2 and sent as anencrypted message at step S6.7 to STB1, where it is decrypted usingstored decryption key Kb2. The resulting decrypted message is displayedin a browser window on the television receiver 7 at step S6.8.

A suitable format for the message downloaded at step S6.7 is shown inFIG. 7C and comprises a header which includes a receiver identificationblock 16 and a message identification block 17, together with theencrypted MMS message 18. The receiver identification block may includethe identification code for STB 1 and/or the message address, namelymatti.virtanen@turkutv.fi.

It will be understood that in accordance with the invention, the messagecould have been directed to any one of the five message addressesassociated with identification number of the set top box STB1 independence on the address that was selected by the user of the handsetMS1.

The transmission mechanism through the DVB-T 4 may make use of a datacarousel in accordance with ETSI EN301192V1.2.1 (Section 8—DataCarousels) or the Multiprotocol Encapsulation method known in the DVBtransmission art.

In the foregoing example, the downloading of the MMS makes use of theuplink in the DVB-T network 4 to request retrieval of the MMS message.However, the MMS message can be downloaded from DVB broadcasts withoutusing the uplink. In this case the MMS messages are broadcast in DSM-CCcarousel or with some other circulatory method and a 24-hour narrowbandwidth channel 1o may be transmitted under the control of the digi-tvcentre 5, to circulate individually encrypted MMS messages continuouslyfor decryption and reception by individual STBs. In this case, the STB 1would not upload the MMS message download request to digi-tv centre 5.The MMS messaging structure would contain a table or several tablescontaining the scheduling information for the DVB data carousel. Bylooking into these tables each STB could decide when in the messagebroadcast schedule it could capture a MMS message directed to itsmessage addresses.

In accordance with the invention, group message addresses for MMSmessages may also be provided to enable the user of the set top box STB1to receive multicast MMS messages from individual group serviceproviders, such as service provider 9 shown schematically in FIG. 1. Theuser of the set top box may register with group service provider 9 bysending details of the identification code for STB1 to the group serviceprovider in a similar fashion to the registration procedure carried outat digi-tv centre 5. The group service provider 9 then provides acorresponding message address and an associated encryption/decryptionkey pair. Group message addresses are shown in Table 2 for twoindividual group service providers, namely a horse club and an amateurradio society.

Table 2 Encryption/ STB 1 Identification decryption code Group messageaddresses key pair wbdcxz485407437347 horseclub@turkutv.fi Kf1:Kf2radioamateurs@turkutv.fi Kg1:Kg2

The addresses and associated encryption/decryption keys can be sent toSTB1 in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 3 and encrypted MMSs maybe multicast to subscribers of the multicast service from the or eachgroup service provider 9. The key pair communication, encryption ofmessages and initial settings can be carried out from a number ofdifferent physical locations depending on the mutual agreements betweenthe operators of the digi-tv centre 5 and the group service provider 9.If public/private key cryptography is used, the message encryption canhappen at many places along the MMS message transmission path. It willbe understood that messages from group service provider 9 may bemulticast to more than one set top box e.g. STB1 and STB2 shown in FIG.1 which have subscribed to the group service. Also, a billing system(not shown) is provided to allow the operator of service provider 9 tocharge for the downloaded MMS messages accessed by users of the STBs.

Many modifications and variations of the disclosed system fall withinthe scope of the claimed invention. For example, the MMS may include anaudio clip or video clip which may be displayed by the televisionreceiver 7. Also, STB 1 may be integrated onto the television receiver7. Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to use with DVB-T andcan be used with other digital broadcast systems including satellite andcable. Also the invention may be used with messages other than MMSmessages that are derived from or emanate from networks other than thedigital broadcast network. Many other additional embodiments will beenvisaged by the skilled person.

1. A method of configuring a digital broadcast receiver to receiveindividually addressed messages through a digital broadcast network, themessages being derived from a different network, comprising sending tothe digital broadcast receiver through the network message detectiondata that allows the digital broadcast receiver to identify messagesbroadcast through the network with at least one individual addresscorresponding to the digital broadcast receiver, and storing the messagedetection data for use in the digital broadcast receiver to detectmessages addressed thereto.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein themessages comprise MMS messages.
 3. A method according to claim 1 whereinthe digital broadcast receiver comprises a set top box.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein each digital broadcast receiver hassubstantially unique key stored therein, and the message detection datais encrypted using said key, and the method, includes decrypting themessage detection data with the key at the digital broadcast receiverand selectively storing the decrypted data in the digital broadcastreceiver.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each digitalbroadcast receiver has an individual identification code, and themessage detection data includes identity data corresponding to theidentity of the digital broadcast receiver that is already stored in thereceiver, and the method includes identifying said identity datacorresponding to the stored data in the digital broadcast receiver andselectively storing in the digital broadcast receiver the sent detectiondata corresponding to the stored identity data.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the detection data includes at least one address formessages corresponding to the identity data for the digital broadcastreceiver.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the detection dataincludes a decryption key corresponding to the address for decodingencrypted messages sent to the address at the digital broadcastreceiver.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said addresscomprises a group address for a message multicast through the network.9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the detection data includes aplurality of addresses associated with said identity and decryption keysassociated with the addresses individually.
 10. A digital broadcastreceiver configured by a method as claimed in claim 1 to receive MMSmessages.
 11. A method of sending MMS messages to a set top boxconfigured as claimed in claim 10, comprising transmitting the MMSthrough the digital broadcasting network and detecting the MMS at theset top box using said detection data.
 12. A method of operating adigital broadcast network to configure a digital broadcast receiver toreceive individually addressed messages through the network, themessages being derived from a network different from the broadcastnetwork, comprising receiving specific data that individuallycharacterises a particular digital broadcast receiver, providing messagedetection data as a function of said specific data that allows thedigital broadcast receiver to identify messages broadcast through thenetwork with at least one individual address corresponding to thedigital broadcast receiver for storage therein to detect messagesaddressed individually thereto, and sending the Message detection datato the digital broadcast receiver through the network.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein specific data corresponds to asubstantially unique key associated with the, and the method includesencrypting the message detection data with the key.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein specific data corresponds to anindividual identification code for the digital broadcast receiver andthe method includes including the individual identification code in themessage detection data.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein thespecific data comprises information that corresponds to at least oneaddress for MMS messages for association with the digital broadcastreceiver, and the method includes providing said at least one address inthe message detection data.
 16. A method according to claim 15, whereinthe specific data includes a decryption key corresponding to the addressand the method includes providing said decryption key in the messagedetection data.
 17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the specificdata includes a plurality of addresses associated with said identity anddecryption keys associated with the addresses individually, and themethod includes providing said addresses and said keys in the messagedetection data.
 18. A network adapted to perform a method as claimed inclaims
 12. 19. A network according to claim 18, adapted to send MMSmessages to a set top box.
 20. A method of configuring a digitalbroadcast receiver to receive individually addressed messages through adigital broadcast network, the messages emanating from a networkdifferent from the digital broadcast network, comprising receiving atthe digital broadcast receiver from the digital broadcast network,message detection data that allows the digital broadcast receiver toidentify said messages broadcast through the network with at least oneindividual address corresponding to the digital broadcast receiver, andstoring the message detection data for use in the digital broadcastreceiver to detect messages addressed thereto.
 21. A method according toclaim 20, wherein the digital broadcast receiver comprises a set top boxand the method configures the set top box to receive MMS messages.
 22. Amethod according to claim 12, wherein the specific data includes aplurality of addresses associated with said identity and decryption keysassociated with the addresses individually, and the method includesproviding said addresses and said keys in the message detection data.